In Coimbatore, India, 35-year-old Alagesan faces the risk of closing his roadside drink and snack shop, which runs on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). He said, “I am far away from the Middle East, but my life is affected. The gas cylinder is not available because of the war. I don’t know what to do.” This is part of a global fuel shortage triggered by the US-Israel attacks on the Iranian government.
The Strait of Hormuz – through which one-fifth of the world’s oil travels – has become nearly impassable, driving oil prices to about $100 per barrel on international markets. This has increased the cost of gasoline and other goods, putting pressure on consumers and economies worldwide. The International Energy Agency (IEA) executive director Fatih Birol stated that the war in the Middle East is creating “a major energy crisis, including the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.”
In India, Gangesh, 57, noted that the country imports about 60% of its LPG, 90% of which is routed through the Strait of Hormuz, but since its closure, only a fraction of daily demand has been met. One woman reported “a 35-day wait for the next instalment of gas cylinders.” Gangesh said “most hotels are suffering the worst shortage,” with “a large number of eateries shutting down leading to unemployment.”
In the UK, Sue, 73, a semi-retired teacher, has “banned” car use except for hospital trips for her husband, otherwise relying on a bike and tricycle. In Massachusetts, Katie, 71, who supports her medically disabled adult son, said his care requires “a round trip of 100 miles or more per appointment,” forcing her to choose “between food and gasoline.” They now carefully consider every mile driven and try to cut expenses.
In Northern Ireland, David from Londonderry said “many people here are worried about the additional and immediate increases in their fuel costs,” especially those with respiratory problems for whom maintaining a stable temperature is essential. In Scotland, Anne*, 50, from Perthshire, reported paraffin prices soaring from £600 to £1,450, making it unaffordable, so their home has no heating despite freezing conditions. They resort to cutting wood and using hot-water bottles.
In Australia, Alex, 46, a community services worker from New South Wales, has cut back on driving due to rising petrol prices and panic buying, using public transport more. She said, “I’m concerned about how the war will drive up fuel prices, but mostly I’m just sad and horrified about the violence and loss of life. War isn’t about security or defending borders. War is what greed looks like in public.”
Source: www.theguardian.com